Fly Fishing with Two Streamers: Throwing the Cabbage & Beef
By Sam Wike
When it gets close to Saint Pattie's Day, I'm always reminded of one of my favorite streamer fly combos... a little something I like to call "corned beef and cabbage."
This is a two part setup which requires the use of a construction grade hardhat and a rod with enough backbone to handle two large streamers. When the water is murky, which we approach around spring, I have had some absolutely great days using this deadly combo.
Now pay close attention.
The Super Technical Double-Streamer Setup
- First tie a short, stout leader straight to your sink tip (nothing less than 2x and no longer than 5 feet). Next tie a white streamer of your choice, any pattern works here as long as it’s white and has some flash in it.
- Now, tie on a natural color streamer trailing about 18" behind it. For me, my go to patterns are a white muddler in front with a sculpzilla trailing. Everyone has their own theories on why patterns work, but this one doesn’t need an explanation.
Why Doubling Down on Cabbage & Beef Works
When the water is off-color, the white really stands out to the fish, although they might not strike at the white fly, it brings them closer to the more natural looking pattern, which entices about 80% of the strikes when fishing this setup.
Now you may be asking yourself, what is the need for the hardhat?
It is not required but I will warn you if you do not wear one, you will get hit so many times in the back of your head you will start acting a little crazy at times...
Give this setup when it's murky & you’re in the mood to hook some big, nasty #fathawgs.
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